If you are the victim of identity theft, there are steps you can take to minimize damage and help prevent any further fraud or theft. As soon as you discover the fraud or theft, take the following steps to report it:

Call your financial institutions. Have them cancel your cards and issue new ones. If you do not report a lost or stolen card immediately, you could be held liable for any losses.

Contact your local police. If a report is filed, be sure to include the police report number they give you in all correspondence you have relating to the heft.

Contact Canada’s main credit reporting agencies. Ask each one to send you a copy of your credit report, and discuss with them whether you should have a fraud alert placed on your file.

Equifax Canada               800-465-7166              www.equifax.com

Transunion                      800-663-9980              www.transunion.ca

Replace your ID cards like health, driver’s licence or SIN by calling 1 800 O-Canada. An agent will be able to direct you to the appropriate federal and provincial organization to replace each of your cards. In Alberta, contact Service Alberta 310-0000 www.servicealberta.ca.

If your mail is missing, contact Canada Post at www.canadapost.ca. 800-267-1177, or call your local Canada Post Office.

Contact each organization that provided the identity thief with unauthorized credit, money, information, goods or services in your name, and ask them to investigate the occurrence as well as cancel and close all fraudulent or affected cards or accounts.

Find out the following:

What information does the company need to begin an investigation?

Has the company begun a criminal investigation? If so, what is the police report number?

What do you need to do to have your losses reimbursed?

For advice on privacy issues related to the identity theft (PIPEDA) contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (800-282-1376 or www.privcom.gc.ca). Note that Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta have separate privacy laws that are similar to PIPEDA, so if you live in one of these provinces, contact the corresponding Provincial Commissioner. In Alberta, contact the Freedom of Information and Privacy office: 780-427-5848 or http://foip.alberta.ca.

To help stop fraud, be sure to report the incident to Phonebusters, Canada’s national anti-fraud call centre. Phonebusters gathers information and intelligence about identity theft and provides advice and assistance to victims. 888-495-8501 www.phonebusters.com